Product Description

Escape to an island full of castaway comedy as Disney favorite Dick Van Dyke and Nancy Kwan star in this hilarious South Pacific adventure. Lt. Robin Crusoe (Van Dyke) is an all-thumbs Navy pilot who ditches his plane after engine trouble. He survives a riotous raft ride only to find himself marooned on a lush tropical island with a poker-playing chimp, a gadget-rich abandoned sub, and Wednesday (Kwan) -- a wild but beautiful native girl in exile for disobeying her overprotective father. You won't stop laughing as all the natives get restless in this paradise of clowning and chaos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14971 in DVD
• Brand: BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2005-04-12
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 114 minutes

Amazon.com
Shortly after Dick Van Dyke played Bert in Mary Poppins, he starred as Lt. Robin Crusoe in this lesser known 1966 comedy, splendidly showcasing his myriad comedic talents in a South seas setting. Families who remember Van Dyke’s riotous romp as Navy-pilot-turned-island-native will appreciate this digital release of the original film. The laughs begin from the moment Crusoe is marooned at sea on a military-issue rubber raft and fights off a shark while reading a step-by-step survival guide. By the time he washes ashore on the island, discovers the wonders of bamboo, and stumbles upon a poker-playing astro-Chimp, audiences are given over to the gigglefest. Nancy Kwan, as Wednesday, adds to the merriment as the island’s other castaway who plays a humorous game of charades with Crusoe before revealing her status as an exile, having escaped her overprotective father. With the battle cry, "Women have rights too," Crusoe and Wednesday prepare for the inevitable patriarchal showdown, a madcap misadventure. While special features are sorely lacking--such as an interview with Van Dyke--this decent family flick remains a rich Disney relic. (Ages 4 and older) --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

Finally, a childhood favorite makes it to DVD!!!
I've been waiting for this movie to come out on DVD so I can replace my well-worn VHS copy. I used to watch this film a lot as a teenager because I've always had an interest in "deserted south pacific islands" ("Gilligan's Island" was one of my favourite childhood shows, I loved "Swiss Family Robinson", I dreamed of visiting Tahiti and Fiji when a 4th grade teacher spoke about such islands existing, and a part of me still fantasizes about the Peace Corps).

This film is a Disney classic which still holds up well today. I'm not sure if savvy modern-day children will like this kind of film, but I imagine they will. The humor is timeless and Dick Van Dyke is the sort of actor that children gravitate to (perhaps "the Mary Poppins effect"). I like this retelling of the "Robinson Crusoe" story, modernizing it and adding much humor as well. The chimp as sidekick is great.

My favorite part of the movie is when Lt Crusoe meets the island ladies and they speak pidgin to comedic effect (like using "cow-cow"). There were so many lines in this film that my sister and I loved to quote to one another, such as "Kabuna say 'women got rights!'" Just the word "Kabuna" sounds funny when you say it. I love how Lt Crusoe plays with the natives' superstitious belief in idols, by making Kabuna (an Easter Island looking tiki rock carving that the island natives worship) speak with a booming voice. Ah, to be stranded on an island full of beautiful native women! This film is kind of a parody about the women's liberation movement, as Lt Crusoe changes the women to be less submissive and more independent, which has an unintended consequence for him...as they chase after him and he's still dreaming about his girl in the U.S.

This one is a classic and will definitely be a part of my collection. I could watch it over and over and still laugh myself silly. Unfortunately, Disney doesn't make movies like this anymore, but I hope they won't even attempt to remake it (as they did with other classics like "The Parent Trap" and "Freaky Friday"). This one is timeless and a perfect Disney comedy of the bygone era.

Five reasons to skip this one.
It's been a long time since I've seen this film, and I remember it to be an engaging slapstick farce with Dick Van Dyke in top form as the title character, a descendant of the original Robinson Crusoe who, while on training mission, crash-lands on a tropical island. He must fend for himself while awaiting rescue, with only fellow castaway Floyd the astrochimp and a native girl he names Wednesday to keep him company. It's a funny and fast-paced lark, and very typical of '60's Disney product.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this version of the film for purchase at this time. Here are five reasons why:

1. Like "Million Dollar Duck" and "Barefoot Executive", "Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N." is being released to DVD in a lazy, fullscreen version instead of the family-friendly 1:66:1 aspect ratio it was originally filmed in. As a film purist, I simply refuse to buy anything that isn't presented in the format it was originally filmed in. That Disney is dumping old films on DVD in the old fullscreen VHS format shows a total lack of respect for the filmmakers and the consumer alike.

2. I see no indication on the packaging that this film has been digitally restored. Therefore, I must conclude the DVD contains the same tired old print of the film that was originally released on VHS. Even more galling is the fact that the sound hasn't been upgraded to stereo, but according to the packaging is presented in "mono." I ask consumers everywhere: why bother replacing old VHS films with DVDs that are of no better quality than what you already have?

3. There are absolutely no extras presented with this film. No "making of" documentary, no commentary with Mr. Van Dyke, no original theatrical trailer, nothing. That Disney released this film with no extras makes the lack of a widescreen print even more annoying, since there is more than enough room on a DVD to present both fullscreen and widescreen versions of the film. Other companies, especially MGM/UA, do it all this time. Why can't Disney? It's simple: laziness and lack of respect for the consumer.

4. This DVD is ridiculously expensive, expecially at the original retail price of $19.95, which is a full $10 more than most bare-bones DVDs are priced by other companies. Disney has always been known for gouging its fans at the cash register, but this is ridiculous.

5. 1+2+3+4=ONE BIG RIPOFF. Once again, Disney rips-off its consumers, and they'll continue to laugh all the way to the bank unless we take a stand. Therefore, I ask fans everywhere:

BOYCOTT ANY DISNEY DVD THAT IS NOT RESTORED AND PRESENTED IN WIDESCREEN FORMAT. That's the only way we'll ever get through to these greedy corporate pinheads.

Film: *** (out of *****) DVD: * (out of *****)

Remeber Well
I give this four stars from memory only. I watched this movie many times on the Disney channel back in the day when it ment something to have the Disney Channel. I enjoyed it a lot. I always have had a soft spot for Dick's movies. I remember it being fun, clean and very entertaining...something you just don't get from live action Disney anymore. If you are looking for a family film that will grab the attention of the room...this should be it.